Author: pocketbunny

Ohto Sharp Pencil (APS-350ES) Review

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Introduction

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I love mechanical pencils. I love wooden pencils. The Ohto Sharp Pencil line tries to get the post of both worlds. It looks like a wooden pencil. It feels like a wooden pencil. But, 0.5mm lead comes out and the ferrule is actually a push button. How well does it actually work?

Specs

Place of Manufacture: Japan
Price: $5 (from Japan), $15 (Amazon)

Packaging

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The pencil came in a simple plastic packaging. It opens via a flap on the bottom.

Fit and Finish

 

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The finish on the pencil is superb. The lacquer is smooth and the silver foiling is sharp. The clip fits well and does not wiggle. The eraser cap is of a little concern though. While it is firmly attached, there is wiggle associated with it. I believe this is from the entire mechanism inside not being that sturdy.

Design

I believe that this is essentially a wooden pencil without the graphite with a mechanical pencil mechanism stuck in. The mechanism is not attached on the top except for the eraser cap. The end piece where the clip is attached to seems to only provide place for the clip and offers no other purpose.

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Functionality

 

I like the form-factor of this pencil, but at the same time, it is its biggest weakness. The pencil feels out of place in the hand, not because it is too short, but because of its diameter. It almost feels like trying to grip a toothpick. I did use it for an entire day of note-taking and found it to be tolerable nearing the end of the day. However, I would definitely recommend a thicker pencil if you want comfort.

However, due to the length and diameter, this pencil is quite useful in many ways. It can easily be slipped into a pencil case or sleeve as a backup pencil as it does not take up that much room. It can also be placed in a shirt pocket without fear of it making a hole as it is not long enough.

Conclusion

As always, this pencil has a specific purpose and it does it well: it is for convenience, not comfort. It is meant for backup use or a gimmick and not a workhorse. In that regard, it works very well. Don’t force it into tasks it shouldn’t handle and you got yourself a nice mini-pencil.

Lamy Al-Star Review

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Introduction

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As with many fountain pen enthusiasts, my first fountain pen was a Lamy. I received the Lamy Al-Star as a gift after expressing interest in writing with fountain pens. It doesn’t get used as often as my Platinum 3776 Century. Read on to find out why.

Specs

Dimensions: 140mm (length), 13mm (diameter)
Weight: 20g
Place of Manufacture: Germany
Price: $47 (retail), $37 (most retailers)

Some History

The Lamy Safari is one of the most common starting pens. Being inexpensive, coming a reputable (debatable) manufacturer, and being fairly durable, it lightens the learning curve. The Al-Star and the Vista are variants of this design, with the nib and feed remaining the same. The Vista is transparent while the Al-Star is made of anodized aluminum.

Fit and Finish

The Al-Star has somewhat better tolerances than the Safari. It suffers some of the regular issues such as a hit-or-miss feed and nib as well as some general quality issues with the body. For example, the plastic has a few ridges from the molding and the LAMY engraving (or perhaps pressing) on the body has irregularities in the corners.

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Functionality

The pen comes in all normal Lamy Safari nib sizings. This fine nib is a European fine and puts down a line equivalent to a Japanese medium.

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The pen does not have much flex.

The converter is a Z24 that can hold around 0.6 mL.

Conclusion

As a first fountain pen, the Lamy Al-Star has some merit. It has a solid construction and the pricing makes it almost acceptable to drop it nib-first on the ground when you’re still learning your way.

With European nib sizing, it can be a bit hard to get finer lines and the irregularities and inconsistencies with Lamy production can make one pen lovely to use and another pen a prop.

For beginner pens, I’d personally recommend the Sailor HighAce Neo. While quality of construction is about the same, the quality of the nib is a bit better and it comes in at a lower price.

Midori MD Notebook Review

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This is my first paper review so bear with me please.

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Midori probably most famous for their Traveler’s Notebook series. They’re essentially a combination of a leather slipcover for replaceable notebook inserts. However, they produce a multitude of other great products, such as my Brass Pen Case. When I was looking for a journal, I considered Rhodia and Leuchtturm1917 among others, but I eventually settled on Midori, partially to test out their paper quality.

Specs

Dimensions: 8.3 in (length), 0.4 in (depth), 5.8 in (width)
Paper Size: A5
Pages: 88
Weight: 260g (9 oz)
Place of Manufacture: Japan
Price: $15.50 (retail)

Background

The Midori MD is a bit different when compared to other journals in that it does not have a sturdy cover. Instead, Midori offers plastic, recycled paper, and leather options. The plastic is the cheapest coming in around ~$5 while the leather one is around ~$70. I have been using mine without a cover and the cardstock cover has been holding up quite well.

Packaging

The journal comes in a plastic sleeve that has an adhesive flap. This makes taking the notebook out quite easy. Then, there is an additional layer of tissue paper on top of which is a blue half-sheet containing the name as well as some information on the journal.

Design

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The journal comes with a small sheet of stickers that can be affixed to personalize the journal.

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The cover is almost blank with a small Midori logo embossed on the left hand side.

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The first page of the journal features a title page with two lines. It is quite simple and the font is matching (*cough cough* Life notebooks) making for an attractive design.

 

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The grid design is one that I have not seen before. The lines are not connect and, instead, they look more like a square “U” i.e. |_|.

 

The back features a bit of information (which I unfortunately cannot read).

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Functionality

As I am a frequent fountain pen user, having fountain pen ready paper was a necessity. The label showed no signs of feathering when I wrote the start date.

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On the actual paper, the paper fared well with both pencil and pen. I have yet to find any complaints about the paper quality.

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Conclusion

At this point, I love this journal. It features a simple design, the paper feels premium, and the price was acceptable. I will continue to update this review as I use it to provide a more comprehensive overview!

Small Higonokami

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Part II of my Asian knives this week. Again, I don’t really consider this a review as much as just some talking notes about the knife.

The higonokami is a traditional Japanese folding knife. It is s friction folder with a one piece handle made of brass. The blade is some sort of high carbon steel and a hamon (temper) line is visible when held at an angle.

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There is a large domed pivot that looks like a rivet. It can be a tad stiff to open the knife.

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Speaking of opening, the knife is opened by using the thumb latch (?) connected to the blade. There is a hole on this lever. In some online reviews, this particular models supposedly sometimes comes with a bell. Mine did not.

There is a tad of writing on the handle. I do not have a translation for it.

For a good overview of the Higonokami, some history on them and information on current production, check out this British Blades forum post.

Shilin Cutter (士林刀)

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I’ve always been a sucker for vintage and old styles, so the Shilin Cutter, with its large blade, thin handle and brass construction, appeals to me in many ways. The knife has an interesting history, with its manufacturing starting off in mainland China before moving to Taiwan during the Chinese civil war. It’s modern history is a bit messier, with family squabbles taking down the main manufacturer and a wave of custom makers spawning. For a fairly comprehensive history and overview of the Shilin Cutter, check out this British Blades forum post.

I acquired two examples of the Shilin Cutter this past summer at a small knife shop in the middle of a traditional market in Taiwan.

The first knife that I saw was this small one. The blade length is about the diameter of a quarter. It was kept under a glass panel in an old plastic bag. I immediately said “Yes, I’ll take it” before asking if she had anymore.

She pulled out this larger knife (size comparison at the end). She would not let me remove the knife from the bag it was kept in nor would she open it in front of me. I looked it over and it seemed like any other NOS (new old stock) knife, with a bit of patina and discoloration. Boy, was I wrong…

This larger knife had a multitude of issues, including a backspring that was so not flush that it makes the knife unusable. The sharp brass edges catch in the nooks of my hand making any task impossible. Furthermore, there was a rolled edge and the stamped logo was very faint.

With both knives, there was a thick layer of a mysterious “gunk”. I would assume that it is a type of oil something to keep the blades from rusting. I was told the smaller knife was made out of “white steel” which, if it is like anything the Japanese use, is a high carbon steel. While I was able to get most of this substance off the smaller knife, it was much more difficult on the larger blade and I eventually gave up.

I am disappointed with this experience? Both yes and no. I got one knife that I have no idea what to do with. I might experiment with grinding down either the blade or the backspring to make the larger knife useful, but that will be a project for some time down the road. On the other hand, I absolutely adore the smaller knife. Sure, the backspring has some gaps with the scales, but I honestly don’t mind that much. The knife wasn’t meant to hard tasks and as long as it stays on my desk or on my keychain for use as a letter opener, I don’t see myself noticing its flaws.

Next time I’m in Taiwan, I’ll check out some of those custom makers. The prices can get a bit high, so there’s no guarantee that I’ll purchase anything.

As a piece of history, these knives are certainly interesting. As tools, their design has the opportunity to be much more than the examples that I have. With tighter tolerances and more attention to detail, I could see myself “EDCing” one of these.

For more information, check out the original Shilin knife site or the aforementioned British Blades forum post.

Platinum Century 3776 EF Review

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Introduction

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My Platinum Century 3776 is my daily driver for all my writing tasks. Whether I bring it to class, I clip it to my shirt when I’m all dressed up, it’s usually either in my bag or in my pocket. Sure the body has signs of wear due to all this carrying, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Here’s some words on my trusty fountain pen.

Specs

Dimensions: 120mm (length), 13mm (diameter)
Weight: 20g
Place of Manufacture: Japan
Price: $220 (retail), $70-100 (eBay, direct from Japan)

Background

When I was picking out my next fountain pen,I had a Pilot Custom 74 in one hand and the Platinum in the other. These two pens are are very similar in many ways. They are of similar length, made of similar material, and both feature 14k nibs. However, there were a few small differences that made me choose the Platinum over the pilot.

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The pen comes in a plastic snap box, housed in a white cardboard sleeve. The case feels appropriate for a pen of this price. It is sturdy and cushioned for the pen. The ribbon holding the pen is taut and it can be a bit difficult to put the pen back if you wanted (as I did for the pictures).

Fit and Finish

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The pen body is made out of resin which I assume is an alternative (fancier/more accurate) name of the type of plastic that is used. The light weight can be a tad off-putting and the texture that it has can feel a bit cheap.

The pen has gold trim from top to bottom. The cap features a gold pocket clip and there is a gold band with the name of the pen around the bottom of the cap. Additionally, there are two more smaller gold bands on the main body of the pen.

The nib is rather large in comparison with the Pilot (this was one of the reasons I chose the Platinum). The gold content, Platinum “P” and “#3776” are engraved on the nib.

The pen supposedly comes with a “Slip and Seal” technology mechanism that is to keep the ink from drying out for up to 24 months. The spring and additionally plastic sleeve used in this technology is easily seen through the plastic cap.

Functionality

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I’m a student and this pen is exactly what I need it to be. I don’t need super flex or BB nibs. What I need is a pen that will work day in and day out. This is exactly that pen. The thin narrow line that it produces is not overly wet, though it starts every time.

The body is very prone to scratching. I don’t carry the pen in the same pocket as my keys, but scratches of all sizes have slowly appeared. The trim, however, does not seem to have chipped at all.

Conclusion

I have no regrets with this pen. Sure, it has an outdated appearance and can look a bit out of place. However, the way it performs and the feeling it has in my hand is… I can’t put it in words.

Opinel Sharpening Stone Review

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Introduction

I’m a pretty big fan of Opinel. For over 100 years, they’ve been able to output decent knives for a decent price. So, it goes without question that when I was looking for a budget sharpening stone, I checked if Opinel made any. To my surprise, they did. Today, we’re reviewing the Opinel Sharpening Stone.

Specs

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Dimensions: 4″ x 15/16 x 3/16
Weight: 1.3 oz
Place of Manufacture: Lombardi, Italy
Cost: $9.95 (pretty consistent among online retailers)

Packaging

When I was looking to buy this sharpening stone, Amazon was out of stock, so I bought it off of eBay. The seller was from France though shipping ended up being quite quick and cheap. The packaging, however, did not fair that well. The stone fits well and I still reuse the box to hold the stone when it is not in use.

Fit and Finish

The stone appears to have nice straight edges although this is not true. As seen from the pictures, the stone’s edges are a bit jagged and there is a taper. I believe this is due to the fact that this is a natural stone. While the dimensions of the stone are not perfect, the surfaces are all pretty flat (not a lot of lapping was needed) and there was nothing beyond cosmetic issues with it.

 

Functionality

As stated before, the stone came pretty flat. I lapped it on sandpaper for a bit to get a flatter edge though.

Through experimentation, the stone is best used wet. I usually use water although mineral oil worked all right as well. I’ve mostly used the stone to touch up blades. It does a pretty good job and a few strokes is all that’s needed to bring a knife back. I would estimate the stone to be equivalent to 800 grit.

Conclusion

I would say that this stone has a big advantage in portability, but that’s about it. I have no complaints for it nor do I have anything too spectacular to say for it. I’ll keep it in my drawer for when I need to touch up some knives or throw it in my backpack if I’m going somewhere and need to sharpen some knives (although I’m not sure if this is actually ever a possibility).

Topo Designs Rover Pack Review

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Introduction

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Topo Designs is a outdoor gear company based in Colorado. All of their products are designed and constructed by themselves in Colorado. While their most famous bag is the Klettersack, when I was in the market for a backpack, I instantly fell in love with the Rover Pack. After a few months of use with my Red and Blue model, they produced a limited edition with the English company TSPTR, which I eventually purchased as well. It’s an amazing bag with a few flaws that don’t hinder its usefulness to me. However, this bag will falter when put to certain tests.

Specs

Dimensions: 18″h x 11″w x 5″d
Volume: 16.2 L
Price: $139 (basic editions), $159 (limited editions)

Packaging

The bag comes with a simple tag with the Topo Designs logo on one side and a short blurb on the company. Other than that, packaging was minimal.

Design

 

The bag features a main compartment with a laptop sleeve. On newer models, the laptop sleeve divider has a flat zippered compartment. There is a flap that covers over the opening of this compartment and is held down with two buckles. The flap has a small zippered compartment for small items. On each side of the main compartment, there are two bottle holders. On the front of the main compartment, there is another flat zippered compartment. There are D-rings on both shoulder straps that can be used to hold gear and other accessories. I often hook my watch to the left D-ring.

The TSPTR limited edition model has a snoopy theme. There are five patches spread about the bag. Overall, I would say that the color scheme of the bag, brown and tan, work as a good background for the patches. The red paracord act as a nice contracting detail.

Fit and Finish

The bag is handmade and, as such, the stitching is noticeably uneven at times. It is most apparent where the stitching ends. However, they are not visible from the outside of the bag and, honestly, the touch of imperfection adds a personal touch. I have no fear that the bag will fail at its stitches.

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The bag itself is made of 1000d Cordura fabric (spec sheet). The material is tear resistant and quite resistant to fraying. While it is stated that the bag comes coated, from experience, the bag is not very water resistant. This is not a big issue as it does not claim that it is, although it would have been a useful feature. In email correspondence with Topo, they recommended using Nikwax Tent Spray to waterproof the bag.

The bag cinches closed using 550 Paracord. The ends are singed and knotted. I often hold the bag by the paracord and have not had any problems with the stitching around the paracord.

It would appear as though the should strap padding got thicker in later models of the backpack. My TSPTR Rover Pack has straps that are almost twice as thick as my original red and blue model.

Functionality

I use this backpack as a day pack. As a student, I regularly carry a laptop (I have an XPS 15 9550 and it fits quite snug), notebooks, pen roll and occasional textbook. Water bottles can be a tight squeeze depending on the shape of the bottle. This is because the water bottle pouch is flat with the side of the bag. As such, larger water bottles will diminish the interior space of the bag.IMG_20160228_164342

The flap with buckles is useful for holding a jacket by simply clipping the jacket in between the flap and the bag. This can be done even when the bag is full.

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As previously stated, the strap padding got thicker with later models. The thicker padding makes a big difference when the backpack is heavy. I much prefer to use my TSPTR bag when I am carrying my laptop.

The bag is not a jack of all trades. While it is very portable and has much to offer for its size, its small size prohibits its use for carrying larger items. For example, it starts to struggle with more than two full size textbooks. I have used the bag for camping really had to pick and choose what items I was going to bring.

Conclusion

Topo Designs has created an great bag for everyday use, if you don’t have to carry a lot. I comfortably chuck my school supplies in and it holds itself quite well. I don’t have to baby it or worry about where I put it down. It looks and works as well after 1 year as it did on day 1. However, if you need to carry larger or heavier gear, I would recommend getting a different bag. For me, though, this bag is just what I need.

Toru Yamashita Whale Knife Review

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IntroductionIMG_20160128_232308

I first saw the Toru Yamashita Whale Knife on the internet and thought it was a joke. It looked a bit “whimpy” (albeit “cool”). However, after holding the knife in person and reading about the specs, I was blown away. Today, let’s take a look at a whale knife.

Specs

Material: White Steel (core), Blue Steel (outside)
Country of Manufacture: Japan
Maker: Toru Yamashita

Packaging

The knife came slabbed between two pieces of cardboard. Threw it away pretty much when I got it.

Fit and FinishIMG_20160128_232456

The knife is blued along the edges. Though it does add some cosmetic value (if that’s your taste), it seems to do an all right job of preventing oxidation.

The steel is heat treated very well. It came with a hair splitting edge and I can touch it up easily with a leather strop or with my Opinel natural sharpening stone (review to come) if needed. Furthermore, the steel lamination is done very symmetrically and the bevels are also very nice.

The handle area is stamped on both sides “TOBA” with some waves. I have not yet found what “TOBA” means, but it is stamped on all of his knives.

FunctionalityIMG_20160128_232325

I would describe this knife as sharp. Very sharp. Although there is no information on the composition of the White Steel that is used in the core of the knife, most “white steels” are high carbon steels. Upon receiving the knife, I brushed my thumb against the edge and subsequently received a cut that would not stop for a good 10 minutes.

I bought the knife to sharpen pencils with and it does its job quite well. It’ll slide right through the wood and come out the other end. When freshly sharpened, the wood gives little resistance.

I have two issues with the knife:
1) With a convex grind, the edge bends and develops a burr when cutting objects harder than wood.
2) The steel is very prone to rusting. Although I keep the knife dry and give it a light coating of oil every time I put it away for a longer period, some rust marks have appeared (black circles). I have identified a scratch on the blade that I haven’t been able to identify. It would appear as though the scratch went through the lamination although I am not sure.

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Conclusion

My random web browsing find turned into a physical purchase that I do not regret. The blade is quite useful as a utility tool and it gets much use (as apparent by the wear). It is, however, not pocket worthy. Beyond a basic office tool, this knife has little use. It is too fragile and requires too much care. For now, it’ll stay on my desk and remain an occasional pencil sharpening utensil. IMG_20160128_232431